This is the first book I have read by Toni Shilo. It was a fantastic read, one of those books that you want to savor, but you also want to know what happens so can't put it down. This book can be described as The Princess Diaries goes to Africa with the added benefit of the characters being practicing Christians. I loved Brielle and Mori. They are a sweet couple and I sincerely hope Ms. Shiloh writes a sequel! I would love to follow their reign and the growth of their family!. The setting is lovely and the suspense was very engaging.

Brew up a pot of tea and settle in where you can't be disturbed! I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did!

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

In this modern-day fairy tale with a gorgeous African princess, set on the breathtaking African island of Ọlọrọ Ilé, author Toni Shiloh immediately draws readers in and keeps them fully invested in the storyline until the very last page.

Imagine living the first twenty-five years of your life as a typical American, then finding out that you are really an African princess, and your grandfather the King is dying and needs you to take over the throne. Sounds like a dream come true, but having to learn a new culture, a new language, and gaining the acceptance of Ọlọrọ Ilé’s citizens may be more difficult than Her Royal Highness Princess Brielle originally thought.

Toni Shiloh continues to bring a much-needed diversity to Christian fiction. She incorporates the characters’ faith authentically into the storyline throughout their daily lives and reminds us of God’s faithfulness and to always trust in Him.

In Search of a Prince is highly recommended for readers of contemporary romance, especially those who enjoy books by authors such as Becky Wade, Denise Hunter, and Melissa Tagg.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

It’s hard to describe In Search of A Prince. It’s a common trope told in a fresh, unique way. It’s special in introducing me to a new culture. Though it’s fictional, it’s based on west African culture and I enjoyed learning about it. I looked up the Gulf of Guinea to see where it was and what those islands were like.

What I loved most was the strength of Brielle’s faith and how she kept returning to it. God really carried her through and it’s an example of how he can do it for us too.

What a wonderful book full of rich depictions of the people and environment of the kingdom of Oloro Ile an island off the west coast of Africa. This book breaks down the barriers of class and shows the importance of being who God has made you to be rather than putting an emphasis on the distinction of heredity alone. We each have an inheritance greater than this earth has to offer.
Brielle is an American unexpectedly next in line to the throne. Navigating her place in the royal family and kingdom isn’t easy. Neither is facing the upcoming death of her grandfather the king. She must face opposition and her own insecurities to make the right decision—Will she accept or abdicate the throne?
Tomori is only a castle runner but something draws him to the princess. He regrets he can be no more than her friend but is it possible there could be another way?
I’m glad to see an author giving us quality books depicting people of color in interesting and complex situations that draw the reader into relationship to the characters. This is a well written book I highly recommend.
I was given a copy of this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and this is my honest opinion.

3.5.
Imagine being happy with your life and one day your mother tells you that you are the crown Princess if a small island nation? And the king is near death. You must go and see him and decide how your life will play out now. Then you discover you must marry before the king passed and are given a list of men to choose from. Boy, I sure wouldn’t want to be in Brielle’s shoes. Even if they were royal slippers. Toni Shiloh brings it in a sweet story straight out of a fairy tale that is sure to delight all who read it.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy via Net Galley. The opinion here is my own.

A wonderful story from Toni Shiloh! In Search of a Prince is the first work of Shiloh’s I’ve read, and it most certainly won’t be the last. I loved her writing style and the characters she brought to life.

Although I generally prefer books written in third person point of view, this story was perfectly told in first person from Brielle’s point of view. Her character was well-rounded and interesting, and I also loved Tomori and Iris. The setting of In Search of a Prince was fascinating too—I felt like I was experiencing what the characters were right along with them. I can’t wait for more in this series! 4.5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"As long as you keep Him in the forefront, He will reveal His will. Then you will be able to face anything that comes your way."

This was such a beautiful story about Brielle, a young lady who is descended from royalty, but doesn't find out until she is an adult. She discovers that her grandfather is the king of a country and is dying. He has been given 6 months to live, and he has asked to meet her and also for her to be given the opportunity to step into the position of princess and then queen, if he passes.

This story had such depth as Brielle gets to know her grandfather, her family, the country she may choose to lead, and the people in it. I loved how authentic the struggles she faced were, as well as, the way we got to journey with her as she grew in her faith and in coming to a decision and all that it entailed as a result. I loved the reminders of the beauty of God's faithfulness in the midst of struggles, fear and even danger. That He has a plan for us, and because of His love and Presence with us, we can move forward and make a difference in small and big ways.

You will not want to miss this wonderful story full of romance and depth, and a little bit of intrigue!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I love love love In Search of a Prince. It is the first book I have read by Toni Shiloh and it will not be the last. Five plus stars.

The cover of this book was stunning and I eagerly anticipated reading this story. There's something for everyone in this story--a fledgling romance, mild mystery, and humor. The secondary characters were unique enough to stand on their own without confusion and were filled out well. The locale of the story--an island off the coast of Africa--seemed enchanting. Brielle is a New York teacher who finds out she is a princess. There are many decisions she must face along the way with the first one being if she even wants to be a princess followed by the fact that she must marry. The bachelorette-esque dates are quite funny with Brielle's inner monologue. This is a solid story of one woman's search for who she is and for someone who can walk along beside her while keeping her focus on God's plan for her destiny.

The publisher sent me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Brielle Bayo loves her job teaching civics to 8th graders in New York City. While she’s always yearned to know her father, who died before she was born, she has a wonderful relationship with her mother. But everything changes when her mother reveals a life-changing secret to Bri.

Her father was a prince and heir to a kingdom off the coast of Africa. The grandfather she never knew she had is now dying, and he wants to meet her. Regular, schoolteacher Bri Bayo is really Brielle Adebayo, heir to a throne and kingdom. The king also wants to know if Bri has what it takes to rule a country.

Once Bri arrives in Ọlọrọ Ilé, to find her grandfather sicker than she expected. She’ll have less time to make her decision. When the Royal Council informs her she must be married before her grandfather passes away, Brielle struggles with her decision to ascend to the throne. How will she know God’s will? And how can she make a life-long commitment to someone on such short notice?

Why I Loved this Book

What gal doesn’t love a princess story? Especially one for grown-ups. And one involving a princess who doesn’t know her true identity. Throw in some palace intrigue, a reverse Cinderella (or maybe an Ugly Duckling) trope, and readers have the perfect recipe for an entertaining, soul-filling read.

Shilo seamlessly integrates faith with fiction as the protagonists seek God’s guidance in all areas of their lives. The protagonists live out their faith in real and relatable ways, making this a book I’d feel comfortable sharing with my non-Christian friends.

IN SEARCH OF A PRINCE by TONI SHILOH is a fairy tale and I believe it must be enjoyed as such. I like the Christian message running through the story, as Brielle tries to make the right choices and glorify God in all she does. There is a dying king, a handsome prince and of course a couple of villains, all against the backdrop of a fictitious island off the African coast.
It is a light and easy read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Princess diaries blends with Wakanda in this sweet Romance with international flavor. Bri discovers that she's not who she thought -- she's much more. Before she can settle into the new identity she has to decide whether to release her old life to step into the new. This novel will warm the heart of every woman who wonders what it would be like to be a princess...while understanding our true identity comes from within. I very much enjoyed it.

Such a delightful book, reads like a Hallmark movie!

Can you imagine finding out, out of the blue, that your a Princess? That is what happens to Brielle Bayo, a young woman living in NYC, and making her living as a teacher. Talk about a life change!

We travel as this young woman travels to meet the Grandfather, the king, that she has never known, a beautiful Island country, off the coast of Africa. I can just see her as she glimpses the castle for the first time, oh wow.

I love that she brought her best friend with her, and her friend plays a great part in this book, and loved her creativity, and her heart!

Your in for a treat as we go along on dates, recommended by the Council, and meet these prospective Princes. There are also people who do not believe this young woman should be a Princess, never mind a Queen.

This is a page turner, and a treat! A bit of sweet romance, some danger, and lush surroundings.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Brielle Bayo isn't who she thinks she is. She is really the Crown Princess of a small island country near West Africa, but she's just finding this out at twenty-five years old. Her father died before she was born and her mother has held hard feelings toward his family because of things that were said all those years ago. Now her grandfather, the King, is dying, and he wants Brielle to come and take the throne.

Toni Shiloh has created a small country with a culture and language similar to other African nations, but it is its own entity entirely. The research she has put into this book makes the settings and culture all the more realistic.

Brielle faces opposition from an unknown source who tries to thwart her at every turn. She is beginning to love her grandfather and hating how short the time is for her to be with him and learn from him. She has two teachers, one who teaches her the culture and history of her new nation, and one who teaches her the language of the country. Before she can take the throne, the council of the country decrees that she must find a prince, and has compiled a list of three men for her to see if one of them will fill the bill for her Crown Prince. Each one has something to offer, according to the council, but none of them have what it takes to win Brielle's attentions or affections.

In Search of a Prince is not the first Toni Shiloh book I've read, but it is one of the best books I've read by her. She creates characters who are realistic, likable, and compelling--well, with the exception of a couple of villains. The villains add to the plot so that the reader is engaged all the way through the book. I appreciate the way that Toni has woven her plot together, adding in friends for Brielle who see her vision for the country and also want to make a difference for the impoverished people who live there. This book may be based on a fictional place with a fictional culture, but it immerses the reader into that culture, with tastes, sounds, smells, and sights to delight the senses.

This is definitely a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a savory paiss (specialty of the country).

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I have been waiting a long time to read this story by Toni Shiloh. I was hooked when I saw the gorgeous book cover, and then the thought of a new kind of story. An African princess. There are lots of books out and about “royalty,” but most are based in European countries. I’ve never read one based in Africa, so I knew it would be a delightful book to read. Then having Toni Shiloh write it, I was more excited, because her books are rich with culture.
I WAS NOT disappointed!
This story was original and brought so much splendor and majesty to each page.
Brielle had her whole world turned upside down when she found out about who her father was. Then to find out that her grandfather, the king of a country she didn’t know of, was dying . . . WOW! So many emotions!
This book captivated me from the very first page and I couldn’t put it down. The relationships between Bri and her mom, her grandfather, her crazy friend, and Tomori, had me immersed in a wonderful tale, full of grandeur, drama, quirkiness, and sweet romance. With a bit of suspense mixed in.
Toni Shiloh has a wonderful way of conveying the feelings of each of the characters in this book. She has just the right way to bring these characters to life. She really is a joy to read.
I laughed, I cried, I stayed up WAY TOO LATE, just so I could get one more chapter read!
Through it all there is a strong message of how God loves us and will be there for us, even when we feel afraid and unworthy.
I highly recommend you read this book!
I was given this book by the author which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

In Search of a Prince has great characters you can empathize with, a good storyline, and strong themes. Brielle was a great character. You could see her strength and willingness to do the right thing even though it would cost her a lot. You will find yourself rooting for her, wanting her to succeed and have the fairytale romance she deserved.

Her choice of a prince was a great character as well and you get the impression he would be a strong supporter which is something she'd need if she decided to be queen. I found myself liking the major characters and wanting things to work out as they hoped. I loved how evident the characters' faith was.

Readers will be reminded that everyone has a purpose and that ultimately it's God who will give us all we need to accomplish that purpose.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley and Just Read Tours; a positive review was not required.

In this latest book from Toni Shiloh, readers are given a delightful journey through the eyes of the Brielle, as she discovers her origins are more than she could have ever imagined. The setting unfolded into a lush, vibrant, African island that I would love to visit in real life. And at the heart is a lovely story of family dynamics, growing confidence and of course, a love story so sweet and honoring. I’m also probably biased towards this one because of my own Nigerian background. I loved seeing strands of that culture and food woven throughout. Toni Shiloh has a knack for creating strong and relatable characters, the type you may find around your own table or in your group of best friends. Those people and themes stay with you long after you close the book. I can’t wait for the next one.

*I received an advanced copy from the publisher. Giving this review is my pleasure and honest opinion

In Search of a Prince is a top 10 must read. I read it in less than a day, and immediately started over. That's rare.

There's so much packed in here, I can't even begin to cover it all and do it justice.

Themes of forgiveness, discernment, value, love and trust are beautifully woven through this story. And what a great sense of humor!

"The teenage girl in me squealed with excitement, while the adult me made shushing motions." (all safely inside her head, but I can just picture it!)

"You have a return ticket but if I click my heels three times, I'll probably just change outfits."

The main characters, and by default, the reader, are frequently reminded of their worth and value, not for any accomplishments, but simply as a person that God loves.

I love how they frequently turn to prayer, when they don't know what to do or how to cope. Even while confident that this new future won't corrupt Brielle's reliance on God, they specifically take time to pray that she would continue to depend on him and remain faithful.

I received an advance copy of this book from the author, through NetGalley. I chose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.

A beautiful love story. I didn't want this one to end. Love can happen at any time and at any place. In this heartfelt and amazing story, dedication to God, family, and love shines through. I wish "In Search of a Prince" would be made into a movie. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

In Search of a Prince risks readers away to a lush land filled with splendor and royalty to dazzle the senses, but it is kindness and bravery that offers testament to the making of a true leader. Penned with heartfelt emotion and tender prose, readers will be swept away by this fairy tale come true.